Halle Berry & Eric Benet: Sex Addiction, Rehab, and Walking Away with Nothing
He cheated '27 times,' checked into sex addiction rehab, then told his lawyer to give her whatever she wanted
Key Facts
What Happened
Halle Berry and R&B singer Eric Benét married in January 2001 after two years of dating. Berry was at the height of her career, winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for Monster's Ball in 2002 — making her the first African American woman to win in that category. Benét was a successful musician with a Grammy nomination. Their relationship seemed to be a fairy tale, but cracks emerged almost immediately.
Within a year of their marriage, reports surfaced that Benét had been unfaithful. At the request of Berry's mother, Benét checked into a 35-day sex addiction rehabilitation program in 2002. Berry attempted to make the marriage work, but ultimately announced their separation in 2003, stating: 'Eric and I have had marital problems for some time now and have tried to work things out together.' The divorce was finalized on January 3, 2005.
Berry later stated publicly that she found it 'difficult to pay money to a man who cheated on me, like, 27 times.' However, the financial settlement was relatively simple because Benét chose not to fight. He told his attorney: 'I won't fight anything at all. I'll sign whatever and I'll just walk away with nothing.' This decision — rare in celebrity divorce — meant the proceedings were quick and avoided the drawn-out financial battles typical of Hollywood splits.
The divorce deeply affected Berry, who later described struggling with suicidal thoughts during and after the breakup. Years later, she cast doubt on the sex addiction diagnosis altogether, suggesting it was an excuse rather than a genuine condition. Benét, for his part, denied many of Berry's claims about the number of his infidelities and went on to remarry happily. The case highlighted how sex addiction claims can become both a justification and a weapon in divorce proceedings.
Legal Breakdown: When the Unfaithful Spouse Walks Away
Waiving Financial Claims
Benét's decision to walk away without seeking any assets or support was legally significant. In California, he was potentially entitled to community property from Berry's enormous earnings during their marriage. His voluntary waiver eliminated what could have been a complex and contentious financial battle, demonstrating that sometimes the fastest path to resolution is simply not fighting.
Sex Addiction as a Legal Factor
While California is a no-fault divorce state (meaning infidelity does not affect property division), claims of sex addiction can influence custody decisions and public perception. Courts may consider a spouse's compulsive sexual behavior when evaluating parenting fitness, particularly if it involves risky behavior that could affect children.
Emotional Toll and Mental Health
Berry's disclosure of suicidal thoughts during the divorce underscores the mental health crisis that often accompanies marital betrayal. Courts and attorneys increasingly recognize that divorcing spouses may need mental health support as urgently as legal representation, particularly when infidelity is involved.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →When the unfaithful spouse waives financial claims, the divorce can be resolved quickly — but this is the exception, not the rule.
- →Sex addiction claims in divorce proceedings can serve as both an explanation and an excuse. Courts evaluate behavior, not labels.
- →The emotional impact of infidelity-driven divorce can be severe enough to require professional mental health intervention. Do not attempt to handle it alone.
- →No-fault divorce means infidelity does not affect property division, but it can influence custody decisions and public perception.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.